Tooth Crowns - wear near margin with gum recession?
Discussion
Any dental experts on here? My Dentist tells me he's seen (but not seen/noticed before) a wear problem, so suspects it's recently happened.
I have bonded crowns on UL1 and UR1 teeth which have been there 40 years, pretty much trouble free...…. both have had root canal treatment and one has a Kuria post. On the rear of both the gum has receded (has been like this many years) ie where the teeth join the pallet (I hope that's a good description). He said there is some wear on the teeth (ie. original human tooth) between the margin where the crowns join, and the gum (my words).
He says it will be kept on watch, and he can treat by adding a veneer. He said it was typical of wear associated with food such as grain wearing the tooth.
I agreed to see what (if anything ) he sees in 6 months, but I'm finding it difficult to believe that a) it's recent - I wonder if he's just noticed it (new lights in surgery?) and b) it's down to my breakfast cereal or similar with grain, as surely that wouldn't affect incisors, but more likely the molars or pre-molars used for grinding.
If this wear (I can see it, with a torch, mirror and mag glass and is very small) is the result of 40 years, then I suspect I'll be 100 before I get any problems, and I don't want to have unnecessary work. If the veneer route is taken, does that entail losing some human tooth to prepare (and therefore potentially weakening) and is it likely a veneer could trap bacteria leading to other potential (maybe worse) outcome?
Thanks in advance.
I have bonded crowns on UL1 and UR1 teeth which have been there 40 years, pretty much trouble free...…. both have had root canal treatment and one has a Kuria post. On the rear of both the gum has receded (has been like this many years) ie where the teeth join the pallet (I hope that's a good description). He said there is some wear on the teeth (ie. original human tooth) between the margin where the crowns join, and the gum (my words).
He says it will be kept on watch, and he can treat by adding a veneer. He said it was typical of wear associated with food such as grain wearing the tooth.
I agreed to see what (if anything ) he sees in 6 months, but I'm finding it difficult to believe that a) it's recent - I wonder if he's just noticed it (new lights in surgery?) and b) it's down to my breakfast cereal or similar with grain, as surely that wouldn't affect incisors, but more likely the molars or pre-molars used for grinding.
If this wear (I can see it, with a torch, mirror and mag glass and is very small) is the result of 40 years, then I suspect I'll be 100 before I get any problems, and I don't want to have unnecessary work. If the veneer route is taken, does that entail losing some human tooth to prepare (and therefore potentially weakening) and is it likely a veneer could trap bacteria leading to other potential (maybe worse) outcome?
Thanks in advance.
Retired dentist. Have you changed your diet significantly in the past 6 months? Any acid reflux issues?
It’s possible that it’s been a gradual problem or perhaps it’s new, kind of hard to say without ever having seen you.
A reverse veneer as suggested could be done, it would involve removing a small amount of natural tooth (maybe, not seen you remember) but it won’t weaken the tooth significantly, it may actually strengthen it slightly. Not likely to be a plaque trap if done properly.
It’s possible that it’s been a gradual problem or perhaps it’s new, kind of hard to say without ever having seen you.
A reverse veneer as suggested could be done, it would involve removing a small amount of natural tooth (maybe, not seen you remember) but it won’t weaken the tooth significantly, it may actually strengthen it slightly. Not likely to be a plaque trap if done properly.
Thanks for your reply. No diet change. I did suffer from some acid reflux a couple of years ago, but I sorted it with mastic gum (much better than the cocktail of antibiotics that was the alternative) 
Otherwise in good health (no meds) and at 60 years old I rode 101 miles on the hottest day last year in 6 hours!
Otherwise in good health (no meds) and at 60 years old I rode 101 miles on the hottest day last year in 6 hours!Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff